Newsom to Ed Jew: 'Just prove it, it's simple'

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Mayor Gavin Newsom put pressure on embattled Supervisor Ed Jew to explain himself, after two investigations unearthed "overwhelming" evidence that he allegedly lied about where he lived in order to serve on the Board of Supervisors.

As pressure mounts from some board members for the District 4 supervisor to resign, Newsom is exploring the possibility of suspending Jew and initiating misconduct proceedings. On Tuesday, he gave his most direct comments yet on the budding City Hall scandal.

"I’m going to encourage Ed Jew to respond very soon to the latest accusations that the city attorney has made public," Newsom said. He added, "I hope he doesn’t wait 15 days. Legally he has a right to, but he shouldn’t. Provide that information. Just prove it. It’s simple."

Jew was given 15 days from Monday to respond to City Attorney Dennis Herrera’s legal filing with the state’s attorney general asking for permission to sue Jew to oust him from office. Herrera on Monday released what he called "overwhelming evidence" that Jew never resided at the 28th Avenue home as he claimed when he ran for office in 2006 and after he took up his seat on the board.

Jew’s attorney Steven Gruel said he is going to "utilize the process we are entitled."

"There is no rush. This is not the fast lane to judgment." Gruel said.

Newsom can suspend a supervisor for "official misconduct," and initiate misconduct proceedings before the Ethics Commission. The commission could recommend Jew’s removal, which the Board of Supervisors would then vote on.